The Atlanta Braves boast a roster stacked with star talent when healthy, with several players who rank among the best at their positions. However, injuries in 2024 hindered their dominance, leaving key players like Austin Riley struggling to meet expectations. While the season was a setback for Riley, there’s reason to believe he can return to elite form in 2025.
A combination of underperformance and injury-marred third baseman Austin Riley’s 2024 season. After averaging stellar numbers from 2021 to 2023—36 home runs, 99 RBIs, and a 6.2 WAR per season—Riley’s production dropped significantly. Before suffering a season-ending broken hand, he posted a .256 batting average with 19 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 47 extra-base hits in 110 games. Those numbers fell short of his usual standards for a player of his caliber.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter ranked Riley 14th among MLB third basemen for 2024, a sharp contrast to his usual top-10 status. However, Reuter’s analysis highlights optimism for Riley’s bounce-back potential. “He still posted a 115 OPS+…and he should be a top-five player at the position again in 2025 with a clean bill of health,” Reuter noted.
Riley’s struggles in 2024 shouldn’t overshadow his incredible consistency in prior years. From 2021 to 2023, he finished top seven in National League MVP voting each season, earned two All-Star nods, and secured two Silver Slugger awards. During that stretch, Riley maintained a .286 average with a .878 OPS, crushing an average of 36 home runs and tallying 99 RBIs per season. His ability to impact offensive and defensive games makes him a cornerstone for the Braves when healthy.
First baseman Matt Olson had a more consistent season compared to Riley but still didn’t quite reach his full potential. Ranked fifth among MLB first basemen by Reuter, Olson’s 2024 campaign, while solid, left room for improvement. The good news? Olson is positioned to climb even higher in the rankings next year.
With a healthy roster, including a rejuvenated Austin Riley, the Braves are poised to reclaim their dominance. Riley, in particular, has the most room for improvement, but his track record suggests he’s more than capable of rising to the challenge. If he returns to form, there’s little doubt he’ll reestablish himself as one of the league’s premier third basemen—and help the Braves remain a perennial contender.
